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Optimism

—to the Class of 2025

The world is cold and hard and dark enough;
We need not cloud it with our own despair.
And it is furnished, too, with joyous stuff,
And you may find a blessing anywhere
You turn your eyes, if they are opened wide—
The windows of an optimistic mind.
Pay little heed to pessimists who chide;
The things you look for are the things you’ll find!
And when you find a treasure, do not rest—
That which you cherish most, you may yet be.
And of such blessings, surely this is best:
To light a fire by which your brothers see!
So be resolved, once you have seen the light,
To be a candle shining in the night.

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Benjamin Daniel Lukey lives near Monroe, North Carolina. He teaches high school English classes whenever he is not fishing or writing poetry. His new collection, What We Leave, is available now in paperback and on your Kindle device.

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2 Responses

  1. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Benjamin,
    This is wonderful hope for this year’s graduating class.
    I especially love the line – “The things you look for are the things you’ll find!”
    Gigi

    Reply
  2. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Benjamin, this message of optimism is an excellent one to give as a gift to those who are graduating with hope in their hearts and feelings of having accomplished something in life.

    Reply

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